Should You Feed Astarion? A Deep Dive into Baldur’s Gate 3’s Complex Companion
The question of whether to let Astarion, the alluring and enigmatic vampire spawn, feed on your blood is one of the most nuanced and debated decisions in Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s not a simple yes or no, and the consequences ripple through your gameplay experience, affecting everything from combat to your relationship with this complex character. The short answer is: yes, you should seriously consider letting Astarion feed on you, especially if you plan on having him as a core member of your party. However, this is not without its considerations and risks.
The Benefits of Letting Astarion Feed
Letting Astarion drink your blood carries several significant advantages.
The “Happy” Buff
Perhaps the most immediate benefit is the “Happy” buff. This buff provides a crucial +1 bonus to all of Astarion’s ability checks for a full day. This might seem minor, but over the course of your adventure, those incremental bonuses stack up, significantly increasing his effectiveness in combat, dialogue, and skill checks.
Gaining Vampire Bite Action
Allowing Astarion to feed unlocks the Vampire Bite action in battle. This is an incredibly valuable combat tool that lets Astarion both damage and heal simultaneously by draining blood from an enemy. This greatly enhances his survivability and contributes to his usefulness as a frontline combatant or a stealthy assassin.
Approval and Relationship Boost
Astarion is notoriously difficult to please, and earning his favor is key to a fulfilling playthrough, especially if you’re considering romance. Letting him feed on you demonstrates trust and acceptance of his vampiric nature, which grants you a significant boost in approval points. This can pave the way for a deeper bond and ultimately unlock romantic possibilities. Not treating him like a monster can make a big difference when building your relationship with him.
The Risks of Letting Astarion Feed
While there are clear benefits, the act of letting Astarion feed on you isn’t without its potential downsides.
The Risk of Death
Initially, there is a risk you can die from Astarion’s bite, although you can be revived, and you’ll encounter some humorous dialogue along the way. This is not a permanent death, and revival through a Scroll of Revivification is possible, but it still might feel jarring during your first encounter. It does not turn the player character into a vampire.
Avoiding the Debuff
It’s worth noting that if you attempt to stop Astarion prematurely from drinking your blood, he will receive a -1 debuff to attack rolls and ability checks for the following day. This can negatively affect your group’s performance. It’s often better to simply let him feed fully.
Initial Reluctance
Some players may find the act of consenting to having your blood drained a bit unsettling, making it a difficult choice.
Making the Decision
The decision to let Astarion feed on you ultimately boils down to your own preferences, your character’s roleplaying, and the overall direction you plan for your party. If you aim to maximize Astarion’s potential, build a strong bond with him, and gain access to his combat advantages, then letting him feed is highly advisable, despite the initial risk of death. However, it also comes with a narrative consequence, making the dynamic between the player and Astarion much more unique. If you are uncomfortable with the idea, you can still have a relationship with him but it will be more difficult.
It is worth noting that this is a gameplay mechanic, and the death can be seen as more of a tutorial. There are multiple dialogue choices at the time of this event and choosing the correct ones can stop the character from dying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of feeding Astarion.
1. Does letting Astarion bite you turn you into a vampire?
No. While there is a risk of death associated with Astarion’s bite during the first encounter, it does not transform your character into a vampire. The risk is more of a gameplay tutorial.
2. How do you revive if Astarion kills you?
If Astarion kills you by draining too much blood initially, you can be revived using a Scroll of Revivification.
3. Does letting Astarion drink blood improve your relationship?
Yes, it significantly boosts approval with Astarion. He sees it as a sign of trust and acceptance, which is essential for building a stronger bond and potentially romancing him.
4. Can you romance Astarion without letting him bite you?
Yes, you can absolutely romance Astarion without ever letting him drink your blood. What matters most is maintaining high approval with him through your actions and dialogue choices.
5. What happens if you stop Astarion from feeding early?
Stopping Astarion before he completes his feeding will result in a -1 debuff to his attack rolls and ability checks for the next day. It’s generally better to let him feed fully.
6. How does the “Happy” buff affect Astarion?
The “Happy” buff gives Astarion a +1 bonus to all of his ability checks for one day, significantly improving his success in various situations.
7. How do you unlock the Vampire Bite action?
The Vampire Bite action is unlocked permanently once Astarion has fed on you.
8. How do you increase Astarion’s approval?
Key ways to increase Astarion’s approval include:
- Supporting his desires.
- Being supportive of his vampiric nature.
- Aligning yourself with evil creatures like goblins and devils.
- Showing ruthlessness to those he considers weak.
- Demonstrating power over others.
- Showing appreciation for the fine arts.
- Being cruel to others.
- Letting him bite you.
9. Should you let Astarion become a full vampire?
No, you cannot make Astarion into a full vampire. The game narrative makes it clear this is not possible as Cazador deemed him “wanting”. He would also be considered a threat to vampiric society.
10. How old is Astarion?
Astarion is likely over 200 years old, potentially around 240-250, considering Elven aging.
11. Can you revive Astarion after killing him with a stake?
No, staking Astarion through the heart is a permanent death. He cannot be resurrected.
12. Why can Astarion be in sunlight?
Due to the Mind Flayer tadpole inside him, Astarion no longer suffers from the traditional vampire weakness to sunlight. He can walk in the daylight like your other companions.
13. Should you tell Gandrel about Astarion?
Telling Gandrel about Astarion will permanently remove him from your party, and this will result in disapproval from several party members.
14. Should you ask about Astarion’s scars?
Yes, you should always ask about his scars, as this triggers a significant cutscene where you read his scars. This is essential for the story and Astarion’s personal quest.
15. Should you let Astarion become a half-illithid?
Astarion is very resistant to becoming a half-illithid. However, if you are half-illithid and have not yet resolved his personal quest, you can convince him by entering his mind and enticing him with your new form.
Ultimately, the decision to feed Astarion is a multi-faceted one, and the benefits, risks, and implications it carries are unique to your specific playthrough. Understanding all the angles will allow you to make the choice that’s best for you and the story you want to tell.